Coastal Preps Winter 2022-23 Midseason Awards

We’ve reached the midway point of the season in basketball, swimming and wrestling, and numerous area players and coaches are off to a fantastic start. It’s now up to you to decide the best of the best in several categories.

A link to vote for the honors is at at the bottom of the post. Voting will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 20 and results will be posted the following day.

***Stats are updated through Jan. 12***

BOYS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year

Sophomore guard Rodmik Allen, New Hanover: Through 12 games, Allen is averaging 15.1 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 steals and 3.5 rebounds. Allen is shooting 47 percent (76 of 162) from the field. 

Junior forward Aidan Davies, Coastal Christian: Davies is averaging 19.9 points and 7.9 rebounds through 19 games for the Centurions. He is shooting an area-best 67 percent (165 of 247) from the field.

Senior forward Khalil Genwright, Laney: In his first season with the Buccaneers, Genwright is averaging 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds through 16 games. He has connected on 58 percent (95 of 164) of his field goals.

Senior forward Jack Voth, Hoggard: Area leader in points per game at 22.3. Through 16 games, Voth is also averaging 7.4 rebounds and shooting 53 percent (119 of 224) from the field. 

Newcomer of the Year

Sophomore guard Quinn Bentley, Ashley: The transfer from Michigan is averaging 10 points through 12 games. He’s hit 48 percent (31 of 64) of his field goals, while also shooting 38 percent (14 of 37) from 3-point range. 

Freshman guard Kellum Brown, New Hanover: Through 12 games, the freshman is averaging 7.4 points. He’s also been one of the area’s top outside shooters, making 19 of 47 3-point attempts for a 40 percent clip.

Junior guard Malakhi Daniels, North Brunswick: Has gotten off to a remarkable start by averaging 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists in 16 contests. 

Sophomore forward CJ Kornegay, Hoggard: The 6-foot-5 forward is averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in his first varsity season. Kornegay has made 59 percent (60 of 102) of his field goals.

Coach of the Year

Kirk Angel, New Hanover: Angel, who won his 300th career game earlier this season, has his Wildcats off to an 11-1 start. They are averaging an area-best 62.6 points per game. The Wildcats only loss was to Hopewell over Christmas break.

BJ Donnell, Laney: The first-year coach is finding success at his alma mater. The Buccaneers opened the season with 13 consecutive wins and currently sit at 14-2 with their only losses coming against Hoggard and New Hanover. 

Tony Martin, Cape Fear Academy: Under Martin’s guidance, the Hurricanes have gone 11-4 in their first 15 games. CFA’s four losses have come against Farmville Central (13-1), Greenfield School (19-5), Greensboro Day School (19-3) and New Hanover (11-1).

Brett Queen, Hoggard: The Vikings are trending toward another 20-win season, which would be the ninth since Queen took over in 2002. Hoggard is 12-4 with each of the losses coming by five points or fewer. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year

Senior guard Carolina Coria, Topsail: Leads the Pirates at 10.9 points, 4.9 steals, 4.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Coria is shooting 45 percent (64 of 141) from the field. 

Junior guard Mackenzie Morton, Ashley: Through 12 games, Morton is averaging 11.8 points and 2.9 steals. She is shooting 39 percent (52 of 134) from the field and 31 percent (19 of 61) from 3-point range. 

Senior guard Laney Scoggins, Hoggard: The transfer from North Brunswick has played well in her first season with the Vikings, averaging 12 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals. She is shooting 46 percent (72 of 157) from the field and 36 percent (16 of 44) from 3-point range. 

Senior guard Jada Simpson, Laney: Leads the area in scoring at 18.1 points per game. Simpson also averages 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 2.4 assists. She has connected on 35 percent (52 of 147) of her 3-point attempts.

Newcomer of the Year

Sophomore guard Brooklyn Coble, West Brunswick: Through 12 games, the sophomore is averaging 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.5 assists. Coble is shooting 34 percent (40 of 117) from the field.  

Sophomore guard Piper Conklin, Laney: Conklin is averaging 7.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the Buccaneers through 16 games. She has connected on 34 percent (37 of 110) of her field goals. 

Freshman guard Tristan Shivers, Hoggard: Has helped the Vikings get off to a 14-2 start by averaging 5.4 points, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Shivers has made 45 percent (35 of 77) of her field goals. 

Freshman guard Brianna Stanley, Ashley: Averages a team-high 12.9 points to go along with 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals. Stanley has connected on 22 3-pointers and is shooing 70 percent (35 of 50) from the free throw line. 

Coach of the Year

Boubacar Aw, Hoggard: The 11th-year coach has the Vikings on the verge of their eighth consecutive 20-win season (not counting the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season). Hoggard is 14-2 with its only losses coming to unbeaten Northern Guilford and Rolesville, which is 13-2. 

Kevin Holland, West Brunswick: Holland continues to change the culture in Shallotte. He guided the Trojans to a 13-12 record a season ago and has the team at 7-5 through 12 games this year. 

Adrienne Gale, Ashley: After finishing 9-15 a season ago, Gale has the Screaming Eagles back on the right track. Ashley sits at 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the Mideastern Conference. 

Ingar Sidbury, Topsail: The Pirates are off to a 12-4 start thanks in large part to a terrific offense that is averaging 55.4 points. 

SWIMMING

Boys Swimmer of the Year

Senior Ryan Langtry, Hoggard: The senior leads the area in the 100 butterfly with a time of 54.66. He’s also got three of the top four 200 freestyle times, is No. 4 in the 200 IM and No. 7 in the 100 backstroke.

Junior Cian Post, Ashley: Has top-10 area times in five individual events. He leads the area in the 50 freestyle (22.01) and 200 IM (2:01.90). The other events are 100 freestyle (No. 2), 100 backstroke (No. 8) and 100 butterfly (No. 5).

Junior Sean Setzer, Ashley: Setzer has the fastest times in the area in the 100 freestyle (48.00), 200 freestyle (1:48.40) and 100 breaststroke (59.49). He’s the only swimmer to break the 1-minute mark in the breaststroke. 

Junior Cole Witmer, Hoggard: Currently has the area’s top time in the 100 backstroke (51.60), which is two seconds faster than No. 2. Witmer also has top-five times in the 50 freestyle (No. 2), 100 freestyle (No. 7), 200 IM (No. 2), 100 breaststroke (No. 5) and 100 butterfly (No. 4).

Boys Newcomer of the Year

Sophomore Laith Ausband, Coastal Christian: Has been instrumental in getting the first-year program off the ground. Ausband has top-20 times in the 50 freestyle (No. 14), 100 freestyle (No. 9), 200 IM (No. 12), 100 backstroke (No. 18) and 100 butterfly (No. 20).

Freshman Ryker Eder, Ashley: The freshman has scored points for the Screaming Eagles in a variety of events. He has top-15 times in the 500 freestyle (No. 7), 200 IM (No. 5), 100 backstroke (No. 13) and 100 breaststroke (No. 6).

Freshman Will House, Laney: In his first season with the Buccaneers, House has become one of the area’s top distance freestyle swimmers. He has the No. 8 and 9 fastest times in the 200 freestyle and is No. 6 in the 500 distance.

Freshman Evan Sevast, South Brunswick: Sevast can swim any event and he does them all well. He currently has top-20 fastest times in the area in six events – 100 freestyle (No. 17), 200 freestyle (No. 11), 500 freestyle (No. 11), 200 IM (No. 19), 100 backstroke (No. 16) and 100 butterfly (No. 18).

Girls Swimmer of the Year

Junior Abby Forbes, New Hanover: Forbes has the three fastest times in the area in the 500 freestyle. She also excels in the 100 butterfly, where she has three of the top 10 fastest times.

Sophomore Caroline Furbay, Ashley: The talented sophomore is the area’s best in the 200 IM. She has the two fastest times, which are both nine seconds better than No. 3. Furbay also has the best 100 fly time, and she’s No. 3 in the 100 breaststroke and No. 5 in the 200 freestyle.

Junior Madi Joy, Laney: Has top-five area times in the 100 butterfly (No. 2), 100 backstroke (No. 4) and 500 freestyle (No. 4). 

Sophomore Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard: Stuck has the three best 100 backstroke times and she also leads the area in the 50 freestyle. She’s also in the top 10 in three other events – 100 freestyle (No. 2), 200 freestyle (No. 6) and 100 breaststroke (No. 10).

Girls Newcomer of the Year

Sophomore Maggie Dorosko, Coastal Christian: Currently has top-15 times in three events – 100 freestyle (No. 11), 100 backstroke (No. 13) and 200 IM (No. 15).

Freshman AJ Jackson, South Brunswick: Jackson is a terrific freestyle swimmer, which is evident by her top-15 times in the 100 (No. 12), 200 (No. 8) and 500 (No. 8) distances.

Junior Maddie O’Shea, Topsail: The out-of-state transfer has already become one of the area’s top freestyle swimmers. She has the second fastest time in the 200 freestyle and is No. 5 in the 100 freestyle.

Freshman Chloe Hughes, Hoggard: Versatile swimmer competes in a variety of events. She has top-20 area times in the 50 freestyle (No. 11), 100 freestyle (No. 16), 500 freestyle (No. 13) and 200 IM (No. 17). 

WRESTLING

Wrestler of the Year

Senior Ethan Blevins, Topsail: Has a 30-3 record with 20 pins. Blevins’ only losses have come against a pair of out-of-state competitors as well as a defending state champion. 

Senior Avery Buonocore, Laney: Buonocore has a 34-2 record, which includes a pair of victories over defending state champions. His only two losses came against a defending state champion and an out-of-state wrestler. Buonocore has pinned 25 opponents. 

Sophomore Ian Fritz, Topsail: After finishing fourth in the state as a freshman, Fritz has his sights set on a state title. He is 36-2 with both of his losses coming to out-of-state competitors. Fritz has recorded 26 pins.

Senior Alex Hopper, Laney: The defending state champion looks primed to make another run. Hopper is 36-1 with 31 of those wins coming via pin. His only loss came against a defending state champion who has not lost a high school match. 

Newcomer of the Year

Jr. Mason Blue, Laney: Out-of-state transfer has filled a hole for the Buccaneers at 220 pounds. Blue is 32-8 with 26 pins. 

Fr. Donovan Gunn, Topsail: Gunn has gotten his high school career off to a great start, compiling a 33-8 record with 22 pins.

Jr. Tyler Buonocore, Laney: In his first year as a varsity starter, Buonocore is 29-6 with 14 of his victories coming via pin.

Soph. Cooper Heppner, Ashley: Has quickly become one of the area’s top 138 pounders. Hooper is 17-4 with 10 pins.

***VOTE HERE***